Community and Malignant Species of Weeds at Tea Plantations in Chaozhou City

Objective Weeds commonly found at the tea plantations in Chaozhou city were surveyed.

Method From August 2021 to October 2022, 290 quadrats were set up for the survey on 29 sampling sites across 3 counties/districts in the area. Applying a seven-level visual estimation method, information on species and proliferation of the weeds was collected.

Result There were totally 117 species identified that included 24 in the families of Asteraceae, 14 of Poaceae, 7 of Rosaceae, 7 of Rubiaceae, 6 of Polygonaceae, and 3 each of Menispermaceae, Lamiaceae, and Fabaceae which made up 57.2% of all. There were 44 annual plants constituting 37.6% and 73 biennials and perennials accounting for 62.3% of the total. Based on the degrees of damaging effect inflicted on the tea plantations, 39 were classified as harmless, 24 general nuisance, 30 malignant, 8 severely malignant, and 16 unclassified. Plantations on different elevations varied on the weeds grown on the location, as 93 distinct species were found on sites at high, 83 at intermediate, and 51 at low altitude.

Conclusion The current survey identified 9 species, namely Imperata cylindrica, Commelina communis, Bidens pilosa, Dicranopteris pedata, Praxelis clematidea, Rubus rosifolius, Polygonum perfoliatum, Pteridium aquilinum, and Miscanthus floridulus, that posed severe threat to the plantations and needed be prioritized for an effective weed control.